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Megumi grunted as he hugged an injured Kugisaki closer to his chest, his summons growling aggressively as the burnt-up form of Itadori Yuuji drew closer – Kugisaki’s valiant attempt at killing the supposed ‘King of Curses’ with her straw doll technique falling just short to Megumi’s dismay, leaving it up to him alone to face the enemy.
A task that was unfortunately looking to be quite impossible under their current circumstances – Megumi swearing when he counted the various bystanders still lingering around the edges of the room they occupied, each hugging one another in blatant fear – creating far too many variables for Megumi to account for in this fight.
Because whilst it was imperative he defend the people from the encroaching threat – it was the whole reason their team had even visited this old entertainment town in the first place – Megumi couldn’t exactly leave Kugisaki unprotected either – Itadori exuding pure blood lust with the way he glared at the unconscious girl. She wouldn’t stand a chance left on her own.
Yet how could he physically guard both? His summons alone wouldn’t be able to hold off Itadori for both the civilians and him to flee – the former group paralysed by fear and Megumi burdened with the weight of an unconscious body. But he couldn’t just give up either.
Think Fushiguro! Think! He cried internally, grimacing when he felt Kugisaki’s blood begin to spill across his hands. Think and take action!
Because the attack will come at any second now! He urged, watching helplessly as Itadori’s cursed tendrils – forged from an odd combination of cloth and cursed energy – hovered menacingly over his back. The young male appearing completely livid as he drew near, his once fair face charred and sizzling, the flames from Kugisaki’s attack having burnt off most of the skin on his left side frame.
An affront the curse was looking to return tenfold by the looks of his sneer, power flaring when he reached the threshold that separated the two rooms – each step signalling Megumi’s slipping time. He had to make a decision quick, so with a desperate frown, Megumi glanced at the girl in his arms.
Did he dare let go of Kugisaki? He pondered, even if just for a split second, to at least attempt to retaliate. Yet, even as that thought flashed across his mind, Megumi knew it simply wasn’t an option, his grip on his friend instinctively growing tighter.
He’d always been too selfish of individual at the end of the day, and if it came down to some stranger on the streets and a person he held dear, the choice was clear was it not? And if that meant sacrificing the few bystanders that remained. Well…he supposed there was only so much room in his heart, a notion Kugisaki herself often quoted as well.
So begrudgingly, Megumi whistled, signalling his dogs to lunge at the approaching Itadori just as the curse launched a barrage of attacks – Megumi ready to push himself out the back window to flee with his friend.
However, before he could successfully execute his manoeuvre – and more importantly, before any of the innocent civilians could be torn to shreds – a familiar figure dashed into the scene, easily slicing and deflecting all projectiles within its path as both Megumi and Itadori gaped, stunned.
“Okkotsu-senpai!” He shouted, relief flooding his veins when he finally processed the person standing before them – Megumi thanking the stars for the timely interference.
“Sorry I’m late!” Spoke the senior sorcerer, back turned to Itadori as he observed Kugisaki with a concerned frown. “And thank you for holding up so well.” He continued kindly, shooting a small but comforting grin towards his sweating junior.
“But I think it’s about time you both pulled back.” He ordered, leaving little room for protest as Megumi hesitantly began to move, shifting Kugisaki to better position her against his chest. Yet just as he prepared retreat, a soft voice echoed across the room – shattering any semblance of safety brought by Okkotsu-senpai’s arrival and prompting his gaze to flicker back to Itadori’s threatening form. The pink-haired male tense but still.
“An S-Grade sorcerer, right?” Itadori intoned, curious yet unsurprised as he eyed Okkotsu-senpai with unconcealed mirth. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
And perhaps it was the calm confidence oozing from his words, but Megumi couldn’t help but wonder how much the curse had known the entire time he’d played them, leading them astray with his sweet smile and charming personality. Did he enjoy tricking Megumi and the others while he went and slaughtered humans behind their backs he mused bitterly, grimacing as a bubble of hurt swelled within his chest. A notion he assumed Okkotsu-senpai shared going by the disappointed expression on his face.
They’d genuinely liked Itadori after all. At least they had before he revealed his true nature, said curse sulking when he noticed their accusatory glares – his countenance an extra kick to the gut with how familiar it came off, Itadori often utilising that same face when begging them for more candy and treats back then.
“I didn’t want to hurt anybody, you know.” Itadori explained, a small pout forming on his lips as he clenched his fists. “I just wanted to play. What’s wrong with keeping a few humans to myself!” He shouted, very much childish and petulant – the young teen appearing so human right then that it hurt despite how callously he treated other lives.
But Megumi couldn’t let himself waver now, no matter how deep he once believed their bond to be. Because realistically, this whole time, they’d been nothing but entertainment – toys – to the young curse, hadn’t they? It was both a humbling and chilling revelation for Megumi – and a lesson to be remembered for the future. Lest they be blind sighted like this again.
“And I would have let you all go too! Really!” Itadori continued to insist, unfazed by their judgemental silence. “But then you had to hurt me! And now you’re going to tell all your sorcerer friends, and they’ll come and ruin everything!” He complained, stomping his foot loudly before huffing angrily, seemingly finished with his justifications as he shot them a menacing scowl.
“But no matter. It was sweet of you to come to me yourself and make it so easy!” Itadori taunted, flipping the switch on his demeanour once again as his malicious aura returned full force – the teen having apparently hardened his resolve as his clothed tendril twisted about – a frightening display of his capabilities.
But Okkotsu-senpai hadn’t been awarded an S-Grade title for nothing, so with a composed sigh, he turned to address the curse.
“It’s rude you know, to trick so many people Itadori-kun.” Was Okkotsu-senpai’s smooth retort, the senior male showing no hints of anger despite also having once trusted the other teen. “But at the very least, can you tell me the truth about where you master is.” Okkotsu questioned, drawing a confused frown from Megumi, whose gaze flickered back and forth between the pair – Itadori seemingly taken aback too with the way he openly gaped.
“You’re no King of Curses, after all.” Explained Okkotsu-senpai, a serious air overtaking his handsome face. “Since you’re far too weak. You’re not the one we’ve been searching for. So, will you at least be honest about that? I’ll make sure to end it all quick if you do.” He promised, ignoring Megumi’s choked coughs of disbelief to point his blade at Itadori.
Just what was going on? Megumi gawked, braining working a mile a minute to process the incoming revelations. Itadori wasn’t the King of Curses? But…but he had to be, since he was the culprit behind the disappearances that drew their organisation’s attention to this town in the first place – the higher-ups confident about the infamous King of Curses lurking within its borders. But if that weren’t the case…then what was the truth?
And like he too were incredulous, Itadori spluttered, garnering yet another displeased sigh from Okkotsu – the senior sorcerer likely disheartened by the curse’s refusal to cooperate. It appeared his infinite patience had finally run thin, Megumi observed, Okkotsu’s cursed energy flickering for a second just as Itadori found his words once more.
“What kind of ridiculous drivel-“ Itadori started, only to be cut short when without warning, his head severed from his neck – the teen’s body slumping onto the floor like a puppet without strings, the thump of his collapsing form echoing across the room.
And maybe it was the sheer speed behind the turn of events, but for the hundredth time that night, Megumi felt himself gasp, eyeing Itadori’s lonesome head with a mix of horror and disgust.
Beheaded. He mused to himself in awe. Beheaded. His head fell off.
Was it Okkotsu-senpai who did that? He pondered quietly, recalling briefly of the initial strike landed on Itadori when the senior sorcerer had made his entrance. He must have already executed the cut at that time then Megumi theorised, but only just recently choose to activate the lingering cursed energy on Itadori’s throat to fully separate his head upon confirming his refusal to cooperate.
Unbelievable…
But that was the prowess of a S-Grade sorcerer he supposed. And whilst Megumi had always known jujutsu users of such ranking were unmatched – he had grown up under the care of the most powerful man in the world after all – it was still amazing to witness their strength in the flesh.
“Fushiguro-kun, the battle isn’t over yet. But go get Kugisaki some help first. Rika-chan should be on stand-by with a medical kit.” Okkotsu abruptly advised, snapping Megumi from his reverie as he nodded quietly – carefully picking up Kugisaki so that she lay supported by both his arms before leaping out the window, giving one last glance to his senior left behind as he fled into the night.
.
.
.
Yuuta breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Fushiguro escape with Kugisaki – the young sorcerer having felt his heart drop at the sight of the injured girl when he first arrived. This was all his fault he rued grimly. Had he not been so pre-occupied with rescuing Rika-chan after she had been wounded and temporarily sealed by the enemy, he would have been able to better support his juniors.
But no matter. The past was the past. And he intended to finish this job tonight – once he figured out where the King of Curses could possibly be lurking. Because make no mistake about it, even if Itadori had not been forthcoming with information, the King of Curses was certainly here. No one else could have taken down Rika-chan so deftly after all, if not the most powerful entity in the land.
Yet where could he be? For such a renowned name, the King was abnormally absent, his presence undetectable despite the combined effort of their team in hunting him down. Only Rika-chan had really encountered the mysterious being during their time investigating the town – and it had nearly cost his partner her life.
And as if the situation wasn’t already bad enough, Itadori had to come and join the fray – their unexpected guest a threatening curse in his own right – enough to be mistaken as the King of Curses by the less experienced Kugisaki and Fushiguro initially.
But Yuuta had known better, his judgement as an S-Grade sorcerer just the slightest bit more refined than his juniors. That and Rika-chan had been thorough with her recount of the King of Curses after Yuuta finally rescued her – warming him about four-armed giants with four-eyes that possessed overwhelming strength.
All descriptions Itadori scarcely matched – the young male far too petite and quaint even if he were a man-killing monster. Additionally, whilst Itadori was certainly capable, he wasn’t exactly at the calibre to be deigned a Special Grade curse, let alone the King of Curses.
In fact, it was rather confounding to see the immature teen thriving so effortlessly under a town supposedly commandeered by said King of Curses. Yuuta could hardly imagine the ruthless tyrant voluntarily sharing its territory with another – especially one so frivolous and childish like Itadori – the possibility of their intel being incorrect growing likelier with every second that passed.
But then that would mean the King of Curses had already moved on from the town, wouldn’t it? And if so, what next?
God, if only Gojo-sensei were here Yuuta bemoaned tiredly, feeling the stress begin to pile on his nerves. The older man would’ve probably known what to do. He would have likely had everything figured out from the start actually. And whilst Yuuta believed himself to be competent at his job, he still stood by the notion that their current team was too underqualified for a mission so dangerous.
Because who in their right mind would assign a task to exorcise the King of Curses to a bunch of green-neck students and one certified S-Grade sorcerer? It was utterly ridiculous, and downright reckless.
Yet, with their enemy so flighty and quick to disappear despite numerous spies scattered across Japan keeping an eye out for him, Yuuta could understand the desperation of their council in dispatching a squad swiftly upon receiving news of the King’s latest location.
It was just a shame he supposed; that their latest lead to the King of Curses had to coincide with one of Gojo-sensei’s biggest disappearing acts – the strongest sorcerer preoccupied with tracking down a monster parading around in the corpse of his closest friend, ignoring all calls and thus leaving the momentous challenge of slaying the King of Curses for Yuuta to complete in his stead instead.
And what a swell job he’d done so far. Allowing Rika-chan to be captured, leaving his juniors long enough for Kugisaki to be gravely wounded and worst of all, falling victim to the façade of a charming curse like Itadori. The mission had been a disaster from start to finish.
But at least there had been no casualties this time round, the safety of his comrades the least Yuuta could ask for at this stage. And though the council may be disappointed with the outcome of their mission, there was not much else Yuuta could do besides scouting the area one last time and reporting back – a part of the sorcerer already writing up the assignment as a failure.
However, just as he turned to leave, a shrill voice cried out – disruptive and demanding.
“Hey, come back here! Where do you think you’re going!”
It was Itadori, holding his severed head on his lap with a scowl on his face, the absurdity of the view causing even the ever-composed Yuuta to gawk.
“I can’t believe you had the gall to behead me!” Itadori screeched, his loud whining reminding Yuuta just how young and almost naïve the curse seemed to be – childish in his mindset despite his more his teenaged appearance.
“You’re going to pay for this, you hear me!”
“I have to admit, I’m rather impressed that you’re still speaking, let alone screaming.” Yuuta replied, eyeing the boy with awed fascination before reining it in to project a sterner demeanour. “But your era of deceiving and hurting people is over Itadori-kun. It’s time to pass on.” He encouraged, frank but genuine with his words, since a part of Yuuta did hope for the boy’s best.
Because even if Itadori wasn’t a good person – it was rare for a curse to contradict their wicked nature after all – Yuuta couldn’t completely classify him as inherently malevolent either. As strange as it sounded, there was just some inexplicable innocence to the teen that Yuuta couldn’t quite explain.
So, despite his grievous crimes, Yuuta still prayed for Itadori to find a happier existence in his next life, once he cut his cursed attachment to this one of course – the sorcerer’s sympathetic wishes clearly not well-received by the curse however, as he merely grit his teeth.
“Don’t give me that kind of empty speech! And don’t change the topic! In the first place, you said I wasn’t the King of Curses, didn’t you?” Itadori cried, indignation lining his every word as he clutched his own head tighter, glowering.
“Yes well, that’s because you can’t be the King of Curses…” Yuuta explained, confusion overtaking his features when Itadori openly continued to lie – even upon his deathbed.
“I am the King of Curses; I’ll have you know!” The boy shrieked, repeating the absurd claim like it would change Yuuta’s mind should he hear it once more – causing the senior sorcerer to ponder whether the real King of Curses had forced him into this odd game of pretence. He could picture it in his head as clear as day even, a weak and frightened Itadori coerced into enacting the villainous plans of his master.
Either way, the denial would do the teen no good in his last moments, and it was up to Yuuta to alleviate him of such unnecessary burdens upon death.
“Then why is your head in your hands?” He questioned rationally, driving straight to the point in an attempt to snap Itadori from delusions. But the curse was stubborn if nothing else, and Yuuta’s efforts were rewarded with a belittling scoff.
“I haven’t lost yet, alright! Because I’m the King of Curses!
“But I’m afraid you have lost Itadori-kun. It’s over.”
“I’m really powerful you know! Right now, I’m still not as strong as Suku-nii, but I’m going to get even stronger!
And Yuuta was certain the boy would have prattled on, much too obstinate in his ways to see otherwise – but Yuuta wasn’t a man of infinite patience, so with a heavy sigh, he moved to put a stop to the teen’s rant - lest it run on any longer.
“That won’t be happening.” He interrupted, disapproving yet sombre. “It’s over.”
And perhaps it was the gravity behind his tone, but like the words had finally processed for him, Itadori’s lips began to quiver, his hazel eyes drooping pitifully and glistening wetly as small and broken hiccups escaped his throat – leaving Yuuta only a split second to brace himself before an ungodly wail left his mouth, piercing thunderously across the room.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Is…is he crying? Yuuta regarded stiffly, eyes widening in disbelief as he watched a river of tears stream down Itadori’s round cheeks, the boy sniffing uncontrollably with every sob
“I’m telling the truth! I really am the King of Curses! I even have the marks to prove it too! I’m amazing, do you hear me!?” He shrieked; his assertions difficult to take seriously when he just couldn’t stop crying.
He’s actually throwing a tantrum… Yuuta observed, dumbfounded at first by the childish behaviour before a more pressing concern forced its way to the forefront of his mind.
No wait, is he ever going to stop talking? He pondered morbidly, brows knitted together in apprehension as he once again drew his blade, tense. His body’s not disintegrating even after being beheaded.
“Die!” Yuuji screeched, fists slamming erratically against the wooden floors. “Die!”
“All of you can just die!” He howled, arms swinging wildly as he rocked his headless body back and forth – similar to that of a baby denied their toy. Again, his fist smashed at the poor floor, Itadori openly blubbering at this point – prompting Yuuta to slowly approach with his katana clutched tightly in his hand, intent to put them both out of their misery.
“He cut off my head!” Itadori cried, uncaring of his advancing executioner as he continued to slam the ground in anger. “He cut off my head!”
“ONIIIIIIIII-CHANNNN!”
And like the gates of hell themselves had been summoned in that very instant, Yuuta felt his hair stand on end as a tremendous swell of cursed energy erupted across the room – every instinct honed since becoming a sorcerer screaming at him to flee when from the shadows, four red eyes began to glow brightly as an odd figure started to take shape, four arms bursting grotesquely out of the dark.
On impulse alone, Yuuta rushed forth, ready to cut Itadori down and potentially halt this incoming threat. Yet, despite the lunge of his attack sending him flying into the other room, his blade sliced through nothing – Yuuta staring stunned at the empty spot in front of him once occupied by Itadori. For a minute, all he do was stand stupefied as the sound of his own heart rang loudly within his ears – thump, thump, thump.
Then, a small sob pierced through the silence – Itadori’s sob he noted with trepidation – forcing Yuuta to stiffen. But that just couldn’t be! Yuuta’s speed was no joke after all, and it was practically impossible for Itadori to have dodged with the condition he’d been in. Yet, that had clearly been the teen’s voice.
So, with his blade raised once again and determined to finish the job, Yuuta turned, only to pause when he was met with the sight of another male present in the room – hovering just across from Itadori, holding the boy’s head atop his neck. At first glance, one could almost mistake them as the same person, especially since they shared a similar head of pink hair.
But upon closer inspection, it didn’t take long for the distinct differences to stand out, the other man – no, the other curse – sporting four impressive arms with numerous tattoos trailing along his body up to his face. He was also far broader than Itadori, packing quite a bit more muscle than the young teen. And last but certainly not least were his four eyes, deep and bloody red in colour, all four focused on Itadori as the young boy continued to sniffle.
“Come on brat. There’s no use in crying.”
“Can’t you even reattach your own head by yourself?” The curse asked, a strange mix of exasperation and fondness colouring his tone as slowly, Itadori’s skin began to meld back together, connecting his head back to the body seamlessly.
Reversed curse technique…Yuuta noted with caution, his own uneasiness at the situation growing even larger. Because though the other may have currently reined back his aura, it was unmistakable that he was the source behind the prior burst of power – his presence on a whole different level, heavy with pure malice even if he didn’t seem very threatening at the moment, too preoccupied with comforting Itadori.
“You sure aren’t the sharpest tool in the shed, are you?” The curse murmured, now softly patting Itadori’s head, who continued to tremble from the intensity of his tears – both males uncaring of Yuuta’s frozen figure in the room. Which was all for the better, as the sorcerer was far too dumfounded at the moment to really take action.
Because what in the hell was happening? Even for an experienced veteran like Yuuta, the back-to-back abnormalities were piling up far too quickly to properly comprehend. First, Itadori didn’t die even after he beheaded him. And now there’s even a new threat…
Just who is the other one that emerged from the shadows!? Yuuta brooded dubiously, unable to place a name to the curse’s face despite having studied every resident of the town carefully. His reflexes, they’re beyond belief. Whoever he is, he’s dangerous. Very dangerous.
Not many could use the reversed curse technique after all; and it spoke greatly of how developed the man’s control over cursed energy was, especially since he was able to heal Itadori so effortlessly. Speaking of the young teen, Yuuta noticed he was still crying – rubbing his lashes roughly despite being fully re-attached, reminiscent of a child in need of attention. Which the mystery stranger was happy to provide, seemingly thrilled by the boy’s relentless whining.
“My, is that a burn on your face?” He asks, caressing Itadori’s cheeks appraisingly as the other nodded petulantly and leaned into the touch – Yuuta realising upon closer scrutiny that even Itadori’s charred skin was beginning to heal from Kugisaki’s attack – the young curse’s appearance wholly unblemished now in comparison to just seconds ago.
“You’re far too careless brat. You need to take better care of your face, since it’s one of the few merits you were born with.” And though the statement came off as more of an insult than anything else in Yuuta’s opinion, it appeared to do its job in calming Itadori – the boy settling into only the occasional hiccupping, nodding sulkily.
And likely pleased by Itadori’s display of compliance, the other curse leant forward, popping a chaste kiss right on Itadori’s plush lips – the action so soft and intimate that Yuuta was almost tempted to turn away – flushed and shame-faced. But he knew better than to let such a vital opening pass by, and with both curses so visibly distracted, he rushes forth – swinging his blade for yet another attempt at their lives.
However, just as he neared the pair, red eyes clashed against his own – and Yuuta was overcome by the most vicious spike of killing intent, leaving the poor sorcerer merely seconds to redirect his course before a stinging pain erupted from his left shoulder – Yuuta stumbling back in horrified shock as blood spilt from his new wound.
“Huh, not bad. You dodged my attack. Even though I was going for your head.” Purred the curse, smirking mockingly as Yuuta staggered to get his footing, clutching a hand to his injury in an attempt to stifle the blood. “Quite impressive, for a no-good sorcerer at least.”
And though it was clearly a taunt, Yuuta refrained from retaliating, too spooked by the previous blow to risk charging in again so recklessly. But at this rate, things weren’t exactly looking good for him, no matter how carefully he proceeded. Because this new curse was dangerous, outclassing Itadori in skill by oceans – strong enough for even Yuuta to question his chance at winning.
This…this had to be the King of Curses right? Yuuta pondered grimly, eyes flickering back and forth between the two individuals before him. And not just that either he mused, but also Itadori’s older brother apparently – Yuuta recalling the loud cry released earlier by Itadori to summon forth this monster.
But that would mean Itadori wasn’t just some hapless minion wrangled into the schemes of another. No, the teen was actually the King of Curse’s legitimate sibling. How was that even possible Yuuta lamented. None of the reports had ever mentioned such a crucial fact, nor did it seem to be common knowledge amongst the curse populace as well.
Either their spy network was absolutely atrocious at their jobs, or the King of Curses had done a superb job in ensuring nobody ever met his brother and lived – an implication that didn’t bode well for Yuuta considering his current predicament…
“Suku-nii! It’s not just him! There’s more of them! Kill the one who burned me, too! Promise me!” Itadori shouted, finally having curbed his crying to shoot Yuuta an angry glare from his position on the floor – offering quite the pitiful display.
“I’ve been toiling away, and yet…” He rambled, voice cracking as if another onslaught of tears were about to break free.
“I’ve been giving it my all! All by myself! And yet, everyone got in my way and bullied me! They all ganged up on me and bullied me!” Itadori whined, the teen apparently convinced he were the victim in this ludicrous scenario – drawing a frustrated frown from Yuuta, who quickly stepped back when Itadori’s brother fully stood to obstruct the younger from view.
“I see. Hmph, that certainly is unforgiveable, brat.” The curse drawled, casual yet brimming with strained power – like a predator on the prowl. “My sweet little brother was doing his best with what little brains he had. And yet you dare to get in his way? You sorcerers just never learn your place.” He sneered, flexing his fingers menacingly – nail tips sharp enough to slit a throat Yuuta observed darkly, shifting to guard his front with his blade, cautious.
“But no matter, I’ll simply massacre everyone who had the nerve to bully him, starting with you.” Declared the curse, a maniac grin forming on his face. “As the King of Curses!”